Role Overview for SVP, Data Governance & Quality with a Major Telecom – Washington, DC
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained by a premier, Fortune 500 telecommunications giant to lead the search for a transformative Senior Vice President (SVP) of Data Governance & Quality. This is a paramount executive leadership position based in the strategic hub of Washington, DC. We are seeking a visionary leader to establish and champion the enterprise-wide data governance framework, transforming data into a core strategic asset that drives business innovation, operational excellence, and an unparalleled customer experience.
In this critical role, you will be the ultimate authority on data governance, quality, and stewardship across the organization. You will report directly to the Chief Data Officer and work in close partnership with the entire C-suite to instill a pervasive culture of data accountability and literacy. The telecommunications landscape is defined by vast and complex datasets, from network performance and customer interactions to billing systems and IoT device data. The SVP will architect the strategy and operational model to manage this data effectively, ensuring it is accurate, consistent, accessible, and secure.
This is not merely a technical leadership role; it is a business transformation role. Your success will be measured by your ability to build consensus, drive change, and demonstrate the tangible business value of a robust data governance program. You will be responsible for mitigating data-related risks, ensuring stringent compliance with industry regulations (like CPNI) and privacy laws (like GDPR and CCPA), and ultimately empowering every facet of the business to make smarter, faster decisions based on trusted data. If you are a strategic, influential leader with a passion for data and a proven track record of building world-class governance programs within large, complex enterprises, we invite you to explore this career-defining opportunity.
Key Responsibilities of SVP, Data Governance & Quality with a Major Telecom – Washington, DC
Enterprise Governance Strategy
Design, implement, and lead the enterprise-wide data governance and data quality strategy, roadmap, and operational framework. Establish a federated governance model with clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability structures, including a Data Governance Council and a network of data stewards.
Policy and Standards Development
Define and enforce comprehensive data policies, standards, and procedures for data classification, data handling, data lineage, metadata management, master data management (MDM), and data quality. Ensure these policies are socialized, understood, and adhered to across all business units.
Executive Leadership and Team Building
Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of data governance professionals, data quality analysts, and master data management experts. Foster a collaborative and innovative team environment that becomes a center of excellence for the entire organization.
Stakeholder Collaboration and Influence
Act as the primary liaison between business, technology, legal, and compliance teams on all data governance matters. Build strong, collaborative relationships with executive stakeholders to champion the value of data governance and secure buy-in for key initiatives.
Data Quality Management
Establish a robust data quality program, including the definition of data quality rules, metrics, and KPIs. Oversee the implementation of data profiling, cleansing, and monitoring processes to proactively identify and remediate data quality issues at their source.
Technology and Tooling Oversight
Lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of enterprise data governance technologies, including data catalogs, metadata management tools, and data quality platforms (e.g., Collibra, Alation, Informatica). Ensure the technology stack supports the governance strategy effectively.
Master Data Management (MDM)
Define and execute the strategy for Master Data Management across critical data domains such as Customer, Product, Location, and Network Asset. Drive the creation of a single, authoritative source of truth for these domains to improve operational efficiency and analytics.
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Mitigation
Partner with the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and General Counsel to ensure data practices comply with all relevant regulations (CPNI, TCPA, GDPR, CCPA, etc.). Develop controls to mitigate data-related risks and protect sensitive customer information.
Data Literacy and Culture Change
Champion a culture of data stewardship and accountability throughout the organization. Develop and deliver training and communication programs to enhance data literacy and promote the value of data as a strategic asset.
Performance Measurement and Reporting
Develop and maintain a framework for measuring and reporting on the effectiveness, maturity, and business value of the data governance program. Present regular updates, insights, and recommendations to the executive leadership team and the Board of Directors.
Requirements for the SVP, Data Governance & Quality with a Major Telecom – Washington, DC
Executive Experience
A minimum of 15+ years of progressive experience in data management, with at least 8-10 years in a senior leadership capacity overseeing enterprise-level data governance, data quality, or data strategy functions.
Industry Expertise
Deep and demonstrable experience within the telecommunications industry is mandatory. A thorough understanding of telecom-specific data domains, business processes, and regulatory challenges is essential for success.
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related quantitative field is required.
Governance Framework Knowledge
Expert-level knowledge of industry-standard data governance frameworks, such as the DAMA-DMBOK framework. Proven ability to adapt and apply these frameworks within a large, federated corporate environment.
Proven Leadership
A track record of building, leading, and inspiring high-caliber, cross-functional teams. Must possess exceptional executive presence, with the ability to influence and align stakeholders from the C-suite to individual contributors.
Technical Acumen
Strong understanding of modern data architecture, cloud data platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), data warehousing, data lakes, and business intelligence tools. Hands-on experience with leading data governance and quality software suites is highly preferred.
Regulatory Fluency
In-depth knowledge of data privacy and security regulations impacting the telecom sector, including CPNI, TCPA, GDPR, and CCPA.
Transformational Change Agent
Demonstrable experience leading large-scale organizational change initiatives. A strategic thinker with the ability to articulate a compelling vision and the operational discipline to execute against it.
Communication Skills
World-class written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex technical topics into clear, concise business language for a non-technical executive audience.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client provides an executive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain the very best talent in the industry. The comprehensive offering includes:
Executive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary, significant annual performance-based bonus, and a long-term equity incentive plan (RSUs/Stock Options).
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents, with low employee contributions. Access to wellness programs, mental health resources, and fitness subsidies.
Retirement Planning
A generous 401(k) retirement plan with a substantial company match and potential for profit sharing. Access to financial planning services.
Work-Life Integration
An executive-level paid time off (PTO) policy, generous paid holidays, and a flexible hybrid work model to support a healthy work-life balance.
Professional Growth
A dedicated budget for executive coaching, industry conferences, certifications, and continuing education to ensure you remain at the forefront of the industry.
Additional Perks
A comprehensive relocation package for qualified candidates, an executive car allowance, company-paid life and disability insurance, and other exclusive executive-level benefits.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is proud to be the exclusive recruitment partner for this confidential search. To be considered for this transformative leadership opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your unique qualifications and your vision for data governance in the telecommunications sector. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Due to the high volume of interest, only qualified candidates will be contacted. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our recruitment process, please visit our Technology Executive Search practice area page for more information. We look forward to reviewing your application.
